Whilst disease prevention is the key to all biosecurity programmes, it does not always go to plan. Where prevention fails, management of disease is vital in order to restrict the damage and upset it may cause.

Japan this week announced that it has lifted its state of emergency concerning foot-and-mouth disease, which involved the ban on the movement of animals being removed.

Japan hopes to quickly regain its foot-and-mouth disease free status from the World Organisation of Animal Health.

The FAO has praised Namibia for its swift action in halting the spread of Rift Valley Fever in the country following recent outbreaks.

Earlier this week, the FAO also said that governments could save billions of dollars by stepping up the prevention and control of high impact animal diseases.

Meanwhile, China has been praised by the World Health Organisation for its concerted effort in issues such as national food security, quality and safety of agricultural produce, animal epidemics and zoonoses.

IDRI And Merial In Research Collaboration
US - Global animal health company Merial and non-profit biotechnology organization the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) have agreed to cooperate regarding the research and development of certain vaccines for animals.
Sanofi-aventis, Merck Appoint CEO For New JV
GLOBAL - Sanofi-aventis and Merck have announced their intention to combine Merial with Intervet/Schering-Plough, to create a new global leader in Animal Health to be called Merial-Intervet. Raul Kohan has been appointed CEO of the new joint venture when it is approved by regulatory authorities and closes, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2011.
New, Easier-To-Use Antibiotic Spray
UK - A new oxytetracycline antibiotic spray that promises greater convenience and less product wastage for livestock farmers is available from veterinary practices.